Careers

Rob Adam Refrigeration can offer a challenging and rewarding career in the Refrigeration industry with ongoing support and trade skills for all our employees.

To learn more about this industry and our company scroll down.

Apprenticeship Applications

If you are after a challenging and rewarding career, the Refrigeration trade will suit your needs.   We are always after bright new persons to join our work force and drive our business further. 

Luke has just completed his apprenticeship

If you are new to the work force and would like to read more information regarding apprenticeships, view the National Apprentice website Here>>

For some further information regarding the Tafe course for our industry, visit Here>>

See below for further information regarding working conditions, training and trade future prospects.

Licenced Mechanic Application

If you are a trades person looking for new employment, please forward relevant work experience and resumeHere>>.

REFRIGERATION TRADE DESCRIPTION

Refrigeration is the process of removing heat from an enclosed space, or from a substance, and moving it to a place where it is unobjectionable.   The primary purpose of refrigeration is lowering the temperature of the enclosed space or substance and then maintaining that lower temperature. The term cooling refers generally to any natural or artificial process by which heat is dissipated.

Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems consist of many mechanical, electrical, and electronic components, such as motors, compressors, pumps, fans, ducts, pipes, thermostats, and switches. Technicians must be able to maintain, diagnose, and correct problems throughout the entire system. To do this, they adjust system controls to recommended settings and test the performance of the entire system using special tools and test equipment.

Refrigeration mechanics install, service, and repair industrial and commercial refrigerating systems and a variety of refrigeration equipment. They follow plans, design specifications, and manufacturers instructions to install motors, compressors, condensing units, evaporators, piping, and other components. They connect this equipment to the refrigerated application, refrigerant lines, and electrical power source. After making the connections, they charge the system with refrigerant, check it for proper operation, and program control systems.

When air-conditioning and refrigeration technicians service equipment, they must use care to conserve, recover, and recycle chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC), hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), and other refrigerants used in air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. The release of these refrigerants can be harmful to the environment. Technicians conserve the refrigerant by making sure that there are no leaks in the system; they recover it by venting the refrigerant into proper cylinders; they recycle it for reuse with special filter-dryers; or they insure that the refrigerant is properly disposed.

Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are adept at using a variety of tools, including hammers, wrenches, metal snips, electric drills, pipe cutters and benders, measurement gauges, and acetylene torches, to work with refrigerant lines and air ducts. They use voltmeters, thermometers, pressure gauges, manometers, and other testing devices to check airflow, refrigerant pressure, electrical circuits and other components.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers work in homes, retail establishments, hospitals, office buildings, and factories—anywhere there is climate-control equipment. They may be assigned to specific job sites at the beginning of each day, or may be dispatched to a variety of locations if they are making service calls.

Technicians may work outside in cold or hot weather or in buildings that are uncomfortable because the air-conditioning or heating equipment is broken. In addition, technicians might have to work in awkward or cramped positions and sometimes are required to work in high places. Hazards include electrical shock, burns, muscle strains, and other injuries from handling heavy equipment. Appropriate safety equipment is necessary when handling refrigerants because contact can cause skin damage, frostbite, or blindness. Inhalation of refrigerants when working in confined spaces also is a possible hazard.

The majority of mechanics and installers work at least a 40-hour week. During peak seasons they often work overtime or irregular hours. Maintenance workers, including those who provide maintenance services under contract, often work evening or weekend shifts and are on call. Most employers try to provide a full workweek year-round by scheduling both installation and maintenance work, and many manufacturers and contractors now provide or even require service contracts. In most shops that service both heating and air-conditioning equipment, employment is stable throughout the year.

TRAINING, QUALIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENTS

The Refrigeration trade course is completed at a TAFE institution which involve one day a week for three years with one more year of onsite only training.

In total a four year training period is required before completing the Refrigeration and Air-Condition Trade Certificate.   Those who acquire their skills on the job usually begin by assisting experienced technicians.

They may begin by performing simple tasks such as:-

  • Carrying Materials;
  • Insulating Refrigerant Lines; or
  • Cleaning Plant Equipment.

In time, they move on to more difficult tasks such as:-

  • Cutting and Soldering Pipes;
  • Testing Electrical Equipment; and
  • Carrying out General Service Calls.

To reduce the impact of ozone depletion and global warming, all Refrigeration and Air-Condition Mechanics must be licensed to purchase and use refrigerant.   Different types of refrigerant can have a drastic impact on the environment, this is the reason why trade licensing was brought in.   On completing the 4 year TAFE course and passing, you will be accredited with a HVAC Licence.

Advancement usually takes the form of higher wages. Some technicians, however, may advance to positions as Supervisor or Service Managers’. Others may move in to areas such as Sales and Marketing. Still others may become Building Superintendents, Cost Estimators or, with the necessary certification, Teachers.

Those with sufficient money and Managerial skill can open their own contracting business.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

Job prospects for heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are expected to be excellent. The increased complexity of HVACR systems, increasing the possibility that equipment may malfunction, also will create opportunities for service technicians. People and businesses depend on their climate-control systems and must keep them in good working order, regardless of economic conditions.

Concern for the environment has prompted the development of new energy-saving heating and air-conditioning systems. An emphasis on better energy management should lead to the replacement of older systems and the installation of newer, more efficient systems in existing buildings. Also, demand for maintenance and service work should increase as businesses strive to keep increasingly complex systems operating at peak efficiency. Regulations prohibiting the discharge and production of CFC and HCFC refrigerants should continue to result in the need to replace many existing or modify them to use new environmentally safe refrigerants.

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